A COUPLE who met at a village hall dance more than six decades ago are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary this week.

Gordon Morton was on leave from National Service when he met his future wife Ann at a dance at Thornley village hall.

He was so keen to impress Ann that he took dance lessons to waltz his way into her favour.

It certainly worked as the couple married at St Mary’s church in Sunderland on July 9, 1960. They set up home in Wingate before moving to Richmond whey they continue to live.

Gordon worked as a paramedic for a total of 36-years in both County Durham and North Yorkshire and was a retained firefighter.

Ann was a school dinner lady and latterly a manager for a sheltered housing association. Since retirement they have spent many happy years cruising around the world and spending time with their family; daughter Lynda, son David, their partners and five much-loved grandchildren.